Rebecca Alpert Jim Biechler Marcus Braybrooke Ellen T. Charry Leobard D'Souza David Efroymson Gabriele Feyler Stefan Feyler Eugene Fisher Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer Krystina Gorniak-Kocikowska Yitz Greenberg Wan-Li Ho Sanaullah Kirmani Reinhard Kirste Hans Küng Lihua Liu Jack Malinowski Patricia Martinez Sergio Mazza Alan Mittleman Ronald Modras Paul Mojzes Malcolm Nazareth Angelika Quade Ida Raming Virginia Kaib Ratigan John Sahadat Simone Schaupp Ingrid Shafer Shu-hsien Liu Thomas Thompson Catherine Berry Stidsen

Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer I first met Arlene and Len in 1977 when I arrived in Philadelphia to become a graduate student at Temple University and at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. It was a wonderful time to be a student at Temple, and thanks, in no small measure to Len Swidler, I completed both programs and went on to a career teaching Religious Studies at RRC. While Len was my teacher, mentor, and tireless supporter and cheerleader, I was mindful of the fact that Arlene stood behind much that he accomplished. He once told me that it was Arlene's idea initially to begin the Journal of Ecumenical Studies. The journal became the focus of Len's outreach into the world of dialogue and so much of what he was able to offer his students. I will be forever grateful that both these extraordinary people were in my life. Some Things I Learned from Len Swidler 1. Study German. Len believed his graduate students should read German. But rather than just talk about it, or preach at us, he arranged trips to Germany to motivate us, helped us set up German classes in the summer, and patiently and supportively urged us on. 2. Discover Computers In 1977, not many people were talking about computers. Len was one of the first who introduced me to the idea that this technology was going to be important. How right he was! I only wish I had listened to him earlier. He was absolutely ahead of the curve in this way. 3. Never give up on a friend, student or colleague. Len is loyal and absolutely 100% indefatigable when it comes to his commitment to the people in his life. Of course, many will talk about his relationship with Arlene, and that is quite true and well worth talking about. I want to mention a few other commitments that are striking. I recall his complete love and devotion to a Jewish scholar in Germany, Pinchas Lapide (1922- 1997). Len not only promoted this scholar's work whenever he could, Len raised money when he needed funds to help with a health care emergency that occurred in the United States (on a visit Len had arranged). Another loyalty I recall with great clarity is Len's devotion to Professor Khalid Duran. Only last year, Len was calling me on a regular basis to encourage the possibility of Khalid teaching at the rabbinical college. Finally, there is my own case. In 1982, I became pregnant with my first child, graduated rabbinical college and took my written comprehensive exams at Temple University. After that, I disappeared from sight. But not from Len's mind! He would call me at home while I was buried in a part time job/part time mommy track and say, "when are you going to start writing the dissertation?" He simply would not accept "no" for an answer. 4. Never let practical details stand in the way of a good idea. I have one very vivid memory of Len setting me up to speak at an interfaith gathering when my first-born was only a few months old. He knew this would force me to write a paper and get out of the house. I told him that I was nursing my baby, but he would not be deterred. So in the middle of the winter, Arlene and Jenny Ratigan drove me and infant Frances to a monastery somewhere north of New York City. I don't remember too much about that weekend. I do know Arlene was generous and loving in helping me care for Frances. During my actual talk, however, a friendly monk kept the baby entertained by setting her on his lap and dangling his crucifix back and forth in front of her eyes. The rabbi's daughter was enchanted. She is now a sophomore at Columbia University and is interested in interreligious dialogue. 5. Travel the world to find connections. Len has wanderlust and he imparted it to his students. Not only did he teach us how important it is to travel to new places and to open oneself to new experiences and new people, he engineered opportunities for us to do it. Because of Len having founded and then inviting me to join the International Scholars' Trialogue, I was able to benefit from amazing experiences in Jerusalem, Orlando, Florida and Germany. Due to my own family constraints, I passed up many other wonderful opportunities which Len tirelessly created over the years. My only regret is that I did not exploit more of the possibilities Len created for me. 6. Teach in venues of all kinds. During my graduate school years, Len hooked up with John Facenda, a Philadelphia TV newsman who was then hosting a show called Credo, a talk show about religion that aired on WCAU at 6 am on Saturday (it was not filmed live!). Len invited me to be on the show with him and another colleague as a regular panelist. I used to wonder if anyone actually watches television at 6 am on Saturdays, but I learned that there are such people. And Len would not miss the opportunity of enlightening them! This job, courtesy of Len, led to all kinds of interesting experiences, including being accosted on the Broad Street subway by a truly scary looking person who, when he got really close, turned out not to want to mug me at all, but just to get the autograph of the "rabbi on TV". 6. Above all, be a mensch. Most important of all, I learned from Len what a true and loving friend and mensch is really like and I will be forever grateful for that model . Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, PhD Director of Religious Studies Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

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